ID: 53692
Title: Biofilm characteristics and compositions in fluidized porcelanite bioreactors: An experimental work
Author: Adnan H. Afaj, Dheyaa W. Abbood and Ayad S. Mostafa
Editor: Prof V. Subramanian
Year: 2010
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company, Vol 7, No 4, October 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Biofilm, fluidized bed, bioreactor, porcelanite
Abstract: Two systems of Fluidized Porcelanite Bioreactors (FPBR) were designed and constructed at Al-Rustamiyah Sewage Treatment Plant, South of Baghdad. The first system consists of Upflow Expanded Bed Reactor (UEBR) which is connected in sequence with aearated fluidized bed reactor (AFBR), while the other system is composed of two identical upflow expanded reactors operated in parallel. In order to evluate the biofilm compositions and its characteristics on Porcelanite aggregates of fragment surfaces, an experimental measurements of the biofilm formation using the light microscopy in fixed media have been undertaken. Systems operation consists of various distinct phases, where influent substrate concentrations were taken from primary sewage and clarifier effluent of Al-Rustamiyah sewage.
Three effective parameters, that could influence the rate of biofilm growth such as superficial velocity, substrate, and biomass concentration, were investigated. The rate of biofilm was tested in two types of aeration; the first one was aerated directly compared with second one, which was operated by indirect aeration. Also the rate of biofilm losses for different influent flow rates, substrate concentrations, locations of packing bed in the reactor, and the periods of operation was evaluated. This work showed the main following conclusions:
1. The physical, chemical and biological analyses depend on the environmental conditions to which the attachment surface is exposed. The large portion of biofilm composition was water with 90.4%, and with a small value of volatile fraction ranged to 9.2%, while the fixed fraction is composed of 0.4% of total biofilm by mass.
2. Organic and chemical composition of the fixed fraction of biofilm was determined, where the primary constituents ' carbon (C) was to be 58%, and nitrogen (N) to be 15%, and phosphorus (P) to be 2%, while the fixed solid composition was 25%.
3. The inorganic composition of fixed fraction of biofilm varies with chemical and organic properties of bulk water, chemical and organic properties of bulk water, chemical and physical properties of media, which composes mainly of silica with (45%), and with Fe+2 (20%), Mn+2 (14%), Al+3 (10%), Ca+2 (6%) and Mg+2 (5%).
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 53691
Title: Water conservation in hot climate buildings by temperature control
Author: Abdullah S. Al-Ghamdi
Editor: Prof V. Subramanian
Year: 2010
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company, Vol 7, No 4, October 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Domestic water temperature, Water conservation, Intermittent water supply
Abstract: This article presents measurements of water temperature in underground and overhead tanks commonly used in intermittent water supply system in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during summer months. The measurements indicate that diurnal water temperature variation and stratification in concrete underground tank is very limited with an average temperature of water of about 34.64 0C. In contrast, the overhead galvanized steel, and to lesser extent, the fiberglass tanks exhibit high diurnal temperature variation and stratification. The investigations indicate that the maximum water temperture in overhead tank exceeds the safe and comfortable temperature range for regular use. A considerable amount of valuable water will be wasted as the residents draining out the hot water from the plumbing system in addition to the possibility of scalding and burns in sensitive skins of some consumers. Recommendations to eliminate the hot temperature problem and conserving water are presented in the paper.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 53690
Title: Impact of osmotic stress on seed germination and seedling growth in black gram (Phaseolus mungo)
Author: Veer Pratap and Yogesh Kumar Sharma
Editor: Dr. R.C.Dalela
Year: 2010
Publisher: Triveni Enterprises, Vol 31, No 5 , September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Environmental Biology
Keywords: PEG-6000, Osmotic potential, Seed germination, Seedling growth, Phaseolus mungo
Abstract: An experiment was conducted to see the impact of osmotic stress as it is one of teh main cause in various soil and water disorders in agricultural field crops, specially the seed germination and seedling growth. The osmotic stress was generated using PEG-6000 and the seed germination, seedling growth were evaluated including the status of pigments i.e chlorophyll (a, b and total), total carotenoids, pheophytin (a, b and total) and different enzymes like amylase, peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase. The various osmotic potentials generated (-2, -5 and -10 bars) showed significant decrease in germination percentage as at the osmotic potential of -10 bars it was observed 70 in comparison to 90% of control. All the seedling growth parameter also showed inhibition with increase in osmotic potential. Increase in osmotic stress decreased Chlorophyll ' a ' , while Chlorophyll ' b ' was increased in -5 bars while total chlorophyll showed decrease in -5 bars osmotic potential. Total carotenoids and pheophytin (a, b and total) were highly increased in -5 bars and decreased in -10 bars osmotic concentration. Enzymatic activity was found to be decreased in amylase while peroixidase, catalase and SOD were increased at different osmotic gradients in comparison to control. The data observed in the experiment can be helpful to assess the impact of any kind of osmotic stress on plant growth and development in crops.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 53689
Title: Ultrastructure changes in hepatocytes of catfish Clarias gariepinus from Lake Mariut, Egypt
Author: Ashraf M. Abdel-Moneim and Hala A. Abdel -Mohsen
Editor: Dr. R.C.Dalela
Year: 2010
Publisher: Triveni Enterprises, Vol 31, No 5 , September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Environmental Biology
Keywords: Clarias gariepinus, Liver, Ultrastructure, Pollution, Lake Mariut
Abstract: In the present study, specimens of catfish (Clariidae) were collected from a polluted location (Main Basin) and a relatively clean area (East Basin) in Lake Mariut, one of the Nile Delta Lakes in Egypt. Fifteen fish were taken from each site. Liver preparations of fish from the two sources were comparatively examined for cellular changes using transmission electron microscopy. Fish hepatocytes from the polluted area showed accumulation of the heterochromatin, enlarged nucleoli, and an extremely folded nuclear envelope. Perichromatin granules were increased and progressively formed small clusters closely associated with patches of heterochromatin. In the cytoplasm, fractionation, dilation, and vesiculation of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), and elevated amounts of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) tubules were noted. The most frequent pathological modifications were the swelling of mitochondria, cristae regression and changes in the electron-transparency of the matrix. Lysosomes showing myelin-like stacks of membraneous material (phospholipidosis), glycogenosomes (i.e.glycogen rosettes enclosed by membranes) and cytoplasmic myelinated bodies were strongly developed. Furthermore, increasing numbers of secondary lysosomes with degraded cell organelles were found. With reference to the storage vesicles, there appeared to be an increase in the lipid droplets (lipidosis) within many hepatocytes. This study reinforces the need to select representative sentinel species from different habitats for biomonitoring purposes and it provides further support for the use of biomarkers in assessing the health of aquatic ecosystems.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 53688
Title: Impact of rhizobacteria on growth and chromium accumulation in Scirpus lacustris L. grown under chromium supplement
Author: N.K.Singh, U.N.Rai, M. Singh and R.D.Tripathi
Editor: Dr. R.C.Dalela
Year: 2010
Publisher: Triveni Enterprises, Vol 31, No 5 , September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Environmental Biology
Keywords: Rhizobacterial strians, Hexavalent chromium (Cr+6), Phytoremediation, Tolerance, Tannery sludge, Rhizosphere
Abstract: Four chromate tolerant rhizobacterial strains viz., RZB-01, RZB-02, RZB-03 and RZB-04 were isolated from rhizosphere of Scirpus lacustris collected from Cr-contaminated area. These strains characterized at morphological and biochemical levles. The most efficient chromate tolerate strain RZB-03 was inoculated to fresh plant of S. lacustris and grown in 2 ? g ml-1 and 5 ? g ml-1 of Cr+6supplemented nutrient solution under controlled laboratory condition. The effects of rhizobacterial inoculation on growth and chromium accumulation in S. lacustris were evaluated. The inoculation of rhizobacteria increased biomass by 59 and 104%, while total chlorophyll content by 1.76 and 15.3% and protein content increased by 23 and 138% under 2 ? g ml-1 and 5 ? g ml-1 concentrations of Cr+6, respectively after 14 d as compared to non-inoculated plant. Similarly, the Cr accumulation also increased by 97 and 75% in shoot and 114 and 68% in root of inoculated plants as compared to non inoculated plants at 2 ? g ml-1 and 5 ? g ml-1 Cr+6 concentrations, respectively, after 14 d. The chromate tolerant rhizobacteria which play an important role in chromium uptake and growth promotion in plant may be useful in development of microbes assisted phytoremediation system for decontamination of chromium polluted sites.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 53687
Title: Level of organochlorine pesticide residues in dry fruit nuts
Author: Pragya Pandey, R.B. Raizada and L.P. Srivastava
Editor: Dr. R.C.Dalela
Year: 2010
Publisher: Triveni Enterprises, Vol 31, No 5 , September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Environmental Biology
Keywords: Organochlorine pesticides, Residues, Fruit nuts
Abstract: The use of pesticides on cash crops and exportable food commodities had always been a serious concern. Fruits form one of the important constituents of human diet, in the that they give one third of the requirement of calories, vitamins, and minerals. This study has been carried out to determine the level of organochlorine pesticides namely HCH, DDT and Endosulfan in raw fruit nuts. Nuts have proteins and high level of fat content. These properties of nuts attract organochlorine pesticides ot accumulate. The anlaysis of organochlorine pesticide residues in commonly used dry fruits like Cashew nut, Walnut, Coconut, Chilgoza, chironji, Makhana, Resins, Apricot, Almonds, Date palm, Pistachio nut collected from local market of Lucknow. India has indicated presence of very low level of HCH (0.007-1.328 mg kg-1), DDT (ND-0.140 mg kg-1) and Endosulfan (ND-0.091 mg kg-1). There are no MRL values established ddfor nuts in the country. This finding is based on a smaller number of samples, which however suggest that the presence of low level of DDT, HCH adn Endosulfan might be due to environmental rather than direct exposure.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 53686
Title: Effect of cyanobacterial exopolysaccharides on salt stress alleviation and seed germination
Author: Monu Arora, A. Kaushik, Nisha Rani and C.P. Kaushik
Editor: Dr. R.C.Dalela
Year: 2010
Publisher: Triveni Enterprises, Vol 31, No 5 , September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Environmental Biology
Keywords: Consortium, Exopolysaccharides, Mobilization efficiency, Vigor index
Abstract: Effect of exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by a consortium of cyanobacteria on germination of three crops wheat, maize and rice was studied at different salt concentrations. Production of EPS was found to be stimulated by salts, which in turn had a significant Na+ removal capability from aqueous solution. Seed germination, vigor index and mobilization efficiency in all the three crops remarkably improved when cyanobacterial EPS was applied. While germination improved significantly by 13 to 30%, mobilization efficiency increased marginally by 1.03 to 1.1 times and vigor index increased by 1.15 to 2.4 times in these crops in response to EPS under non-saline conditions. Salinity had an inhibitory effect on seed germination of all the species showing 18 to 54% reduction. However, in the presence of EPS, the salt induced inhibition diminished to 13 to 18%. Inhibitory effect of salt on chlorophyll concentration, vigor index and mobilization efficiency of the seedlings was much less in these crops in the presence of EPS, indicating the latter ' s role in salt stress alleviation.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 53685
Title: Mosquito biodiversity of Dibru-Saikhowa biosphere reserve in Assam, India
Author: P. Dutta, A. Prakash, D.R.Bhattacharyya, S.A. Khan, P.R. Gogoi, C.K. Sharma and J. Mahanta
Editor: Dr. R.C.Dalela
Year: 2010
Publisher: Triveni Enterprises, Vol 31, No 5 , September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Environmental Biology
Keywords: Mosquito, Biodiversity, Dibru-Saikhowa biosphere reserve, Japanese encephalitis
Abstract: Entomological surveys were conducted for three consecutive years in core and buffer zone of the Dibru-Saikhowa biosphere reserve in pre monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. A total of 52 species of mosquitoes under eleven genera have been detected. The genus Anopheles (18 species) was the predominant followed by Culex, Aedes, Mansonia, Armigeres, Mimomyia, Ochlerostatus, Malaya, Toxorhynchites, Ficalbia and Aedeomyia. The buffer zone of the forest reserve where human habitations are there exhibited the presence of maximum number of species (49 species under 10 genera) in comparison to core zone (42 species under 10 genera). In buffer zone, maximum numbers of species (38) were recorded in monsoon season followed by post-monsoon (35 species) and Pre-monsoon season (34 species). Whereas in core zone, maximum number of species were collected in post monsoon season followed by pre monsoon season and monsoon season. In core and buffer zone, the maximum species were recorded from the ground pool habitat and slow flowing stream respectively. Among the disease vectors, the potential Japanese encephalitis vectors incriminated in India wer every much prevalent. This study provides the list of available mosquito species recorded for the first time in the Dibru-Saikhowa biosphere reserve.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 53684
Title: Diurnal vertical migration of Cochlodinium polykrikoides during the red tide in Korean coastal sea waters
Author: Young Sug Kim, Chang Su Jeong, Gi Tak Seong, In Sung Han and Young Sik Lee
Editor: Dr. R.C.Dalela
Year: 2010
Publisher: Triveni Enterprises, Vol 31, No 5 , September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Environmental Biology
Keywords: Cochlodinium polykrikoides, Diurnal vertical migration, Red tide, Nutrient
Abstract: The diurnal vertical migration of Cochlodinium polykrikoides (C. polykrikoides), which caused a red tide in the Korean coastal waters of the East Sea/Sea of Japan in September 2003, was examined by determining the time-dependent changes in the density of living cells in relation to the depth of the water column. The ascent of this species into the surface layer (depth of water, 2m) occurred during 1400-1500. The descent started at 1600 and a high distribution rate (86%) at 15-20m was observed at 0300. During the ascent, the cells were widely distributed at each depth level from 0600 hr and at 0800-1100, the cells were primarily distributed in the middle layer (0-6m). The concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen was generally < 2.86 ? mol l-1, but at 1400-1500, the concentration in the surface layer reduced to < 0.14? mol l-1 . Moreover, the concentration gradually increased as the depth increased to > 5m. These results showed that the nutrient-consumption rate associated with the proliferation of C. polykrikoides during a red tide is more influenced by the inorganic-nitrogen resources rather than the inorganic-phsophorus compounds.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 53683
Title: Seasonal variations in physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals in water and sediments of Uppanar estuary, Nagapattinam, India
Author: R. Sankar, L. Ramkumar, M. Rajkumar, Jun Sun and G. Ananthan
Editor: Dr. R.C.Dalela
Year: 2010
Publisher: Triveni Enterprises, Vol 31, No 5 , September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Environmental Biology
Keywords: Physico-chemical parameters, Heavy metals, Uppanar estuary, Nagapattinam
Abstract: The present study was carried out to determine the physico-chemical characteristics and heavy metasl in water and sediments in Uppanar Estuary, nagapattinam, Southeast coast of India during January to December 2007. The minimum and maximum values of atmospheric and surface water temperatures (0C), salinity (%), pH and dissolved oxygen (ml l-1) were: 26.0-35.0; 25.0-33.5; 8.0-35.0;7.2-8.2 and 2.8-5.5 respectively. The ranges of nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and silicate were : 7.05-24.23; 0.82-3.15; 0.31-2.18 and 40.0-198.0 (? M) respectively. The ranges of heavy metals in water (? gl-1) and sediment (? gl-1) copper, zinc, cadmium and mercury were: 2.45-18.25; 26.43-101.24; 1.23-24.35 and 0.01-0.22 and 5.02-81.27; 22.47-75.42; 2.25-10.06 and 0.01-0.16 respectively.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 53682
Title: Production of valued materials from squid viscera by subcritical water hydrolysis
Author: Md. Salim Uddin, Hyang-Min Ahn, Hideki Kishimura and Byung-Soo Chun
Editor: Dr. R.C.Dalela
Year: 2010
Publisher: Triveni Enterprises, Vol 31, No 5 , September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Environmental Biology
Keywords: Subcritical water hydrolysis, Squid viscera, Amino acid, Valued materials
Abstract: Subcritical water hydrolysis was carried out to produce valued materials from squid viscera, the waste product of fish processing industries. The reaction temperatures for hydrolysis of raw and deoiled squid viscera were maintained from 180 to 2800C for 5 min. The ratio of material to water for hydrolysis was 1:50. Most of the proteins from deoiled squid viscera were recovered at high temperature. The protein yield in raw squid viscera hydrolyzate decreased with the rise of temperature. The reducing sugar yield was higher at high temperature in subcritical water hydrolysis of both raw and deoiled squid viscera. The highest yeild of amino acids in raw and deoiled squid viscera hydrolyzates were 233.25 +3.25 and 533.78+ 4.13 mg g-1 at 180 and 2800C, respectively. Most amino acids attained highest yield at the reaction temperature range of 180-2200C and 260-2800C for raw and deoiled samples, respectively. The recovery of amino acids from deoiled squid viscera was about 1.5 times higher than that of raw squid viscera.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 53681
Title: Changes in some soil properties at different incubation periods after tobacco waste application
Author: Coskun Gulser, Zeynep Demir and Serkan Ic
Editor: Dr. R.C.Dalela
Year: 2010
Publisher: Triveni Enterprises, Vol 31, No 5 , September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Environmental Biology
Keywords: Tobacco waste, Aggregate stability, Basal soil respiration, Nitrate, Electrical Conductivity
Abstract: In this study, changes in organic carbon (OC), basal soil respiraton (BSR), nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), electrical conductivity (EC) and aggregate stability (AS) of a clay laom soil due to tobacco waste (TOW) application were monitored for 240 days. After incorporating 5% TOW into soil according to oven dry weight basis, soil samples were incubated at field capacity for 20, 40, 80, 140 and 240 days under a greenhouse condition. TOW application significantly increased all soil properties over the control treatment. Soil OC and AS values had significant positive correlations each other and with the other soil properties. Soil OC, BSR and AS values significantly increased from 0.12%, 0.03 ? g CO2-C g-1dry soil 24 hr and 20.7% in control treatement to 1.13%, 3.7 ? g CO2-C g-1dry soil 24 hr and 54.4% in TOW treatment, respectively, in 20 days. While the highest NO3-N (1780 ppm) was found in 40 days, the highest EC (3.35 dSm-1) was in 240 days after TOW application, Disaggregation occurred in all treatments after 20 days of incubation due to probably the more substrate demands of microorganisms in soil.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 53680
Title: Inheritance of pod and seed traits in chickpea
Author: B Tuba Bicer and Dogan Sakar
Editor: Dr. R.C.Dalela
Year: 2010
Publisher: Triveni Enterprises, Vol 31, No 5 , September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Environmental Biology
Keywords: Cicer arietinum L., Chickpea, Diallel, Heritability, Gene effects
Abstract: A 4 x 4 full- diallel cross was studied to estimate the genetic parameters of pod and seed traits. According to Hayman ' s method, additive genetic variance was significant for pod length and seed length and width, also, both additive and dominance genetic variance were significant for pod thickness and width. As additive gene effects were significant for pod and seed traits, it is suggestign the selection of this traits early generations. Partial dominance was important for traits. The high narrow sense heritability of pod and seed traits was between 86 and 97%.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 53679
Title: Detection of lipid perioxidation and cytotoxicity induced by aluminium (Al) and cobalt (Co) ions in barbunia root tip cells
Author: Kultigin Cavusoglu and Emine Yalcin
Editor: Dr. R.C.Dalela
Year: 2010
Publisher: Triveni Enterprises, Vol 31, No 5 , September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Environmental Biology
Keywords: Aluminium and Cobalt, Toxicity, Barbunia bean, Micronucleus, Seed physiology
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects of different concentrations of Aluminium (Al) and Cobalt (Co) heavy metal ions on Phaseolus vulgaris L cv. Barbunia (Fabaceae) root tips. We used the germination percentage (GP), root length (RL), weight gain (WG) and micronucleus (MN) frequency as indicators of cytotoxicity, and correlated these data with statistical parameters. Additionally to the cytogenetic analysis, lipid peroxidation and DNA anlayses were performed in root tips of barbunia seeds treated with Al and Co metals. The seeds were divided into five groups as control, Al and Co treatment groups. They were treated with 25 and 50 ppm doses of Al and Co during 7 days. The results indicated that there was an alteration in the GP, RL, WG and MN frequency depending on the treatment dose in the seeds exposed to Al and Co metal ions when compared with the controls. Al and Co metal ions at both the doses significantly reduced the GP, RL and WG in seeds of all the treatment groups. The highest GP was observed in seeds of the control group (in proportion as 96%). 25 and 50 ppm doses of Co and Al caused 30, 50 and 42, 64% decrease of seed germination, respectively. In the control group, the final weights of all the seeds increased about 1.31 g when compared to initial weight. The mean RL of control seeds were measured as 3.71 cm at the end of experimental period. In Co and Al groups, the final weights of seeds increased about 0.34 g and 0.19 g according to initial weight at 50 ppm dose, respectively. But, Al and Co ions caused a dose-dependent increase in the frequency of MN. The highest frequency of MN was observed at 50 ppm dose of Al and least frequency of MN was observed at 25 ppm dose of Co. Besides, 25 and 50ppm concentrations of Al and Co significantly enhanced the lipid peroxidation and caused an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels at both the doses. In roots treated with 25 and 50 ppm doses of Al, the increase of MDA was about 62 and 136% according to control, respectively. In Co-treated roots, the increase of MDA was about 31 and 91% accordign to the control at 25 and 50 ppm doses, respectively. The investigated parameters (except MN and MDA) were higher in the seeds exposed to Co than the seeds treated with Al. Moreover, it was observed that the yields of DNA in the seeds treated with Al and Co metals were lower than recorded in the controls. Hence, DNA yields exposed to Al and Co were run ahead on agarose gel according to the control group. The results of the present study indicated that Al and Co metal ions have toxic effects on barbunia root tip cells, and the selectetd parameters such as the GP, RL, WG, MN and MDA are very sensitive and useful biomarkers for biomonitoring these effects.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 53678
Title: Preparation and assay of C-glucosyltansferase from roots of Pueraria lobata
Author: Gang Chen, Xuan Wu, Wen-Ling Zhou and Ling Li
Editor: Dr. R.C.Dalela
Year: 2010
Publisher: Triveni Enterprises, Vol 31, No 5 , September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Environmental Biology
Keywords: Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi, Biosynthesis of puerarin, C-glucosyltransferase, C-glucosylation
Abstract: C-glucosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1. X) is one of the key enzymes for the biosynthesis of puerarin. This paper describes the methodology in purification and assay of the enzyme for the first time in Puerarin lobata (Willd.) Ohwi. C-glucosyltransferase from roots of R.lobata was extracted and partially purified by (NH4)2SO4 saturation. The effects of pH, temperature, and substrate concentration on the activity of the enzyme were investigated. The properties of the puerarin produced by C-glycosyltransferase were studied by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The peak activity of C-glucosyltranferase was detected in fraction of by 80% saturation of (NH4)2SO4 and the optimal conditions for enzymatic reaction were 35.5 ? mol l-1 of isoliquiritigenin and 560 ? mol l-1 of UDP-G at pH 8.1, 280C for 1 h. Mn2+ at 1 m mol l-1 and Al3+ at 1 mmol l-1 increased the enzyme activity, while Mg2+ inhibited its activity. The enzyme activity in Nicotiana tabacum and P.lobata were detected under the above assay conditions. Higher activity was found in roots than in leaves and stems of P. lobata, while no enzyme activity was detected in leaves of N. tabacum. It was the first time that activity of C-glucosyltransferase, which transforms isoliquiritigenin to puerarin, was detected in P. lobata.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None